Hay-knife.



T. J. MADDRELL.

HAY KNIFE. APPLIUATION FILED ooT.v,19o9.

1,006,246. Patented Oct. 17, 1911.

El? 7l mln@ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS J. MADDRELL, OF CANTON, OHIO, .ASSIGNOR TO THE Gr. A. SWINEFORD COMPANY, OF CANTON, OHIO, ACORBORATION OF OHIO.

HAY-KNIFE.

vision of a hay knife which is adaptedequally to the use of foot power or hand power.

Another object is to provide aknife which may be adjusted to cut at various angles.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the description.

To the accomplishment of these and re-v lated ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claim.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing :-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hay-knife embodying my invention; while Fig. 2 is a sectional detail of such knife.

The hay-knife comprises a rod A having at its upper end a handle a, and near its lower end, a lateral projection al. Pivot ally attached to such lower end of the rod is a back B of the elongated shoe-shape illustrated in Fig. l, the point of attachment being near the enlarged or deep end of the back. In order thus to secure the back B to the rod, the lower end of the latter is provided with an ear a2 adapted to lit against the side of such back, the inner face of this ear being serrated (see Fig. 2), and the juxtaposed portion of the back being provided with a projection or lug b that is formed with complementary serrations. Extending through the ear and the back is a bolt a3, which, when tightened, is

adapted to clamp the back firmly to the projecting ear of the rod. This bolt, may, howf ever, be loosened so as to allow the back to be turned at various angles upon the bolt as a Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 7, 1909.

PatentedOct. 17, 1911. Serial No. 521,494.

pivot, and when the back has been set at the required angle, the bolt may again be tightened. The lug b is formed with a downward extension or rib b1 integral with the side of the back, such rib serving as a guard to prevent the material being operated upon from catching against the lug and interfering with the free and easy manipulation of the tool. At the same time such rib imparts increased rigidity to the back structure. To the lower edge of the back B is finally riveted the knife blade O, this blade being preferably formed of sections c having a serrated edge and scalloped as shown. The general form of the blades cutting edge, however is convex, owing to the extension of its forward terminal in the fashion illustrated. Thisl terminal is furthermre brought to a point and provided with a sharp or cutting edge on its upper side as well as below. The front end of the knife is thus saved from being entangled in the material being cut, and the operation of the tool thereby facilitated.

From this brief description, the several advantages of my improved hay knife over those heretofore in use, are apparent. By means of the handle at the top of the rod or the projection near the bottom thereof, the knife is adapted for use either as a hand power or a foot power knife, or preferably both together, the operator using a hand and foot simultaneously. The adjustability of the back so that it may be set at any angle suitable to varying conditions is a distinct advantage. The provision of a scalloped serrated edge allows the knife to work faster and more easily, and at the same time the conformation of the blade and the extension of the latters forward end as described above will force the knife to feed itself toward the work.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by the following claim or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention A hay-knife, comprising a rod having a handle at its upper end and a projection near its lower end adapting the same for combined hand and foot operation; an

elongated knife back wider at one end than at the other and thickened at the outer edge of the' wider end, Said back being adjust ably pivotally attached near such thickened edge on a transverse axis to the lower end of the rod, and said back having an inclined integral projection extending beyond the bolt and forming a guard for the lower end of the rod; and a knife blade secured to the lower edge of said back and projecting beyond its forward end, said blade having a scalloped cutting edge of general convex form and such projecting portion thereof being pointed and provided with a cutting edge on its upper side extending from the l5 point of the blade to said knife back, as well as below said lmife back.

Signed by me this 25th day of Sept., 1909.

THOMAS J. MADDRELL. Attested by- O. E. YUTZEY, C. D. BURNS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

